Kerf cleaner or gummer



May 25, 1943. A. Y. SAVILLE KERF CLEANER 0R GUMMER Filed Oqt. 2, 1939 5Sheets-Sheet l f/YVE/VTOR:

\ ARTHUR Y SAVILLE) y 1943. A,YY. SAVILLE 1 2,320,307

KERF CLEANER OR GUMMER Filed Oct. 2, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [/y VE/V TOFPMay 25, 1943. A. Y. SAVILLE KERF CLEANER OR GUMMER Filed Oct 2, 1939 5Sheets-Sheet 5 W Ru ,7 5 A m? VH5 mw m. T I

y 5, 1943. A. Y. SAVILLE 2,320,307

KERF CLEANER 0R GUMMER Filed Oct. 2, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [NVEN TORARTHUR Y SAVILLE,

a -M- W-W.

Patented May 25, 1943 KERF CLEANER on GUMMER Arthur Y. Saville,Wakefield, England, assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, acorporation of Ohio Application October 2, 1939, Serial No. 297,541

In Great Britain October 24, 1938 17 Claims. (Cl. 26230) This inventionrelates to kerf cleaners or gummers for use with coal cutting machinesand has for its principal object to provide a device adapted to collectcuttings delivered by a cutter chain of a coal cutting machine and todeposit them clear of the out while at the same time leaving the trackof the machine comparatively clear,

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which has aplurality of blades which are rotatable about a common axis, which axisis so disposed with respect to the cutter chain that on rotation saidblades will be effective to sweep cuttings from the vicinity of saidcutter chain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovementioned type which is adapted to be disposed in proximity to thecutter chain and which includes a plurality of blades to which a rotarymotion about a common axis may be imparted with means adapted tocooperate with said blades in such a manner that during completerevolution the effective area of each blade will vary between zero, orsubstantially zero, and a predetermined maximum, the maximum effectivearea being attained when the blade is brought to a position where itsouter extremity is nearest the cutter chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovementioned type which includes a cowl or the like to which a rotarymotion may be imparted and a plurality of blades mounted for rotationabout a common axis which if oifset with respect to the axis of rotationof the cowl. said blades being adapted to project through the cowl walland so constructed and arranged that they will be progressively extendedand retracted on rotation of said cowl.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novelfeatures and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a mining machine including thestructure of my invention as seen from opposite sides thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing the apparatus of my invention removedfrom but closely adjacent to the head end of a mining machine to whichit is to be attached;

4 is an enlarged plan view of the mechanism of invention shown attachedto the head end of a mining machine with partsshown in section;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4looking in the direction of the arrowsyand Fig. 7 is a sectional viewtaken on the line 'I-'I of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrowswith parts omitted in the interest of clearness.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the gummeror kerf cleaner comprises a self-contained unit designated generally bythe reference character In which is adapted to be detachably secured tothe head or cutting end of a coal cutting machine designated generallyby the reference character II, which coal cutting machine includes alaterally extending kerf cutter II I constituting what is generallyknown in the art as a long wall type of mining machine.

The cutter bar III is provided with the conventional endless cutterchain IIZ carrying picks or bits I I3, which cutter chain H2 is drivenfrom an electric motor carried by the main frame of the machine II inthe manner well understood in the art.

The gummer I0 is detachably secured to the machine II by means of quickacting clamp screws I2, or any other similar means.

In the embodiment illustrated the unit comprises a gear casing I3 inwhich a shaft I4 is disposed, said shaft having a jaw clutch mem' ber I5keyed thereto which is adapted when the unit is in position as shown inthe drawings to cooperate with a corresponding jaw clutch member I5associated with a bevel pinion II which is in turn adapted to mesh withthe normal crown wheel of the coal cutter. The clutch member I6 isslidably mounted to allow for engagement and disengagement thereof withthe member I5 but a driving connection is provided between said memberI6 and the bevel wheel I! through the medium of suitable splines or thelike. A spring I8 is adapted normally to urge the clutch member I6outwardly into its operative position, said spring also being adapted toprovide for slippage in the event of an overload. The outward movementof the member I 6 is limited when the gummer is detached by .means of anut I9 which is carried by a spindle 26. The shaft I4, to which thedrive is thus transmitted when the summer unit is mounted in position onthe coal cutter, carries a worm 2| which latter is in turn adapted tomesh with a worm wheel 22 (Fig. 6) carried b a vertical shaft 23 whichconstitutes the main shaft of the gummer unit. The shaft 23 is suitablyjournalled in bearings such as 24 and 25 and carries at its lower end acowl 26 to which a rotary motion is imparted on rotation of said shaft23 which is effected due to the worm 2| and worm wheel 22 on engagementof the jaw clutch members I and H5 and operation of the coal cutter.

It will be seen from the drawings that the cowl 26 will rotate about avertical axis which is parallel to that about which the cutter chainindicated by a chain dotted line 21 is adapted to revolve. Disposedbelow the lower end of the cowl 26 is a plate or the like 28 which isconnected to a flange-like portion or plate 28 of the casing l3 by meansof suitable vertical plates or the like 29 which may be welded orotherwise secured to the plate 28 and connected at their upper ends tosaid flange-like portion by means of suitable bolts. Mounted on theplate 28 is a shaft 30 which is adapted to project into the cowl 26 andis so arranged as to be offset. with respect to the axis of rotation ofthe latter, while being parallel to such axis as is clearly indicated inthe drawings. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 30 are three blades 3|, thearrangement being such that said blades are independent of each otherand are each adapted to project through aseparate slot formedin the cowlwall. In the embodiment illustrated a slotted trunnion 32 is disposed ineach slot in'the cowl wall and is adapted to receive and guide the bladeprojecting therethrough, the trunnions being supported in any suitablemanner. On rotation of the cowl 26 the'blades 3! will be rotated aboutthe fixed shaft 30 due to the cooperation of said blades with theslotted trunnions but owing to the fact that the shaft 30 is offset withrespect to the axis of rotation of the cowl the blades are caused toslide in and out'of the slots in the triuinions as will be appreciatedmore clearly from Figure '7. Assuming, for example, that on commencementof rotation of the cowl 26 one of the blades 3|, which is designated Ain Figure '7, is so positioned that its outer edge is flush with theperiphery of said cowl, then during rotation of the cowl the blade Awill slide in its slot until it reaches a position diametricallyopposite its starting position wherein it will project a maximumdistance from the cowl. Upon rotation it will be retracted until at thecompletion of one revolution the tip of the blade is again flush withthe periphery offthe cowl.

When the unit is applied to the coal cutter the arrangement is such thatthe blades 3| will project the maximum distance from the cowl 23 at apoint nearest the cutter chain which is indicated at 2! in Figure 4, inwhich latter the path of movement of the outer edges of the blades isindicated by a further chain dotted line 33. As the blades 3i arerotated away from the chain to sweep the cuttings from the path thereofthey will be retracted into the cowl being caused to project again andto assume their operative position as they are again brought into thevicinity of said chain.

Removably mounted at one side of the gummer unit frame is a side guard34 which is adapted to prevent out coal from rolling into the returnpath of the blades. The guard 34 is adapted to be removably mounted onthe unit and for this purpose it is provided at one end with hooks orthe'like 35 which a'readapted to engage one of the vertical plates 29 inthe manner shown in Figure 4, while at the opposite end it is secured bymeans of a pin 36 which is adapted to project through apertures insuitably disposed brackets 3! carried by the vertical plate 40 at theouter end of the unit. The guard 34 is, as above mentioned, detachableand may, if desired, be mounted on the opposite side of the unit if itis required to reverse the direction of cutting. On the other side ofthe gummer unit a directional chute or the like 38 of any suitable formmay be provided which is mounted in a similar manner to the guard 34 andis also adapted to be transferred to the other side of said unit if thedirection of cutting is reversed.

The chute 33 is shown in plan in Fig. 4 and in section in Fig. 6 whichis a View taken on the line 3-6 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction ofthe arrows. It will become obvious by reference to these views that thechute 38 comprises horizontal plates spaced apart vertically andprovided at their forward ends with hooks 35' which are adapted toengage one of the vertical plates 29 as shown in Fig. 4. The oppositeends of these plates are hinged to the pin 36' which is adapted toproject through apertures in suitably disposed brackets 3'! carried bythe vertical plate at the outer end of the unit, as shown in Figs. 2, 3and 4 It will thus be seen that the upper and lower plates of the chute3B are in approximate horizontal alinement with the plates 28 and 28' ofthe unit and the wide open space between the upper and lower plates ofthe chute 3B affords free movement of the cuttings away from the unitwithout clogging where the blades 3| are in receded position shown indotted lines at the left of Fig. 4. It should also be noted that theguard plate 34 has a large opening extending between the plates 28 and28 where the blade 3| moves past the plate 40'. Such opening is shown inFig. 2 and is for the purpose of eliminating fines or dust and preventthe latter from passing into the interior of the cowl 26.

With the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4, with the cutter chainmoving in the direction of the arrow on line 21, the blades 3| will berotated in the direction indicated by the arrow on the line 33 and willdischarge the cuttings through the directional chute 38 it being notedthat said blades are fully extended at the point nearest to the cutterchain. Preferably the plate 23 is provided with a plurality of holes orapertures 33 within the cowl 26 (Figs. 4 and 5) which are adapted toprovide for free release of small holdings and dust which mightotherwise accumulate in the inside of the cowl 26 and so impose anadditional load on the mechanism.

The drive to the gummer unit may be imparted in many ways other thanthat described and illustrated but preferably the arrangement should besuch that the gummer unit may be quickly and readily detached from thecoal cuttcr when the latter has to be flitted or the picks changedalthough in certain cases access to the cutter picks may be provided bydetaching a separate guard enclosing the cutter chain sprocket.

Fixed to the frame of the mining machine H is a bottom plate 4| spacedbelow the chain cutter driving sprocket and together with the plate 28adapted to rest on and slide over the mine bottom during operation ofthe mining machine. Mounted on the swingable bolt I2 is a plate 42 whichis adapted to fit against the face 43 of the bracket 44 which is rigidlysecured to the top plate 28 of the unit ill. The bolt I2 is movableinto'the slot 45 when the bottom plate 28 is fitted up against theadjacent edge of the bottom plate 4|.

The rapid travel of the cutter bits as they travel around the chaindriving sprocket throws the cuttings from the plate 4| to the plate 28where such cuttings can be positively engaged by the'a'dvancing andretracting blades 3|. In order to assure such throwing of all of thecuttings into the path of travel of the blades 3| it is preferable toclose the open space shown in Fig. 3 between the plate 4| and the frameof the mining machine. The guard plate 46 is therefore provided as shownin Fig. 1. Spaced openings in this guard plate are fitted over the pins4! which project from the mining machine frame and the other end of theguard plate 46 is fitted against the stop 48 at the bottom of theupright 29 as shown in Fig. 3. This may be done after the clamping boltl2 has been adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 1.

'A hook 49, as shown in Fig. 1, is connected by means of a turnbuckle 50to the device which is pivoted at 52 to the guard plate 46 intermediatethe ends of the latter.

By comparing Fig. 1 with Fig. 4 it will be seen that the guard plate mayserve to guide the cuttings onto the plate 28 into the path of theblades 3| before there is any tendency for the cutter bits to move thecuttings to the face of the mine vein. Therefore the cuttings will betaken hold of by the blades 3| before such cuttings tend to emerge fromthe mining machine frame adjacent the mine face. In a long walloperation the machine travels toward the right 1 as viewed in Fig. 1 andthe chain at the rear side of the cutter bar travels toward the left asviewed in Fig. 2. The presence of the guard plate 46 mounted as shown inFig. 1 assures discharge of the cuttings behind the path of travel ofthe long wall mining machine.

The eccentric mounting of the blades 3| results in their having anaccelerating motion as they sweep the cuttings away from the chain whileat the same time they are angled forward to form a pocket which holdsthe cuttings against centrifugal force and increases the efficiency ofoperation. The cuttings discharged by the blades are piled neatly behindthe machine, a pressure discharge being obtained so that as the cuttingsare piled up behind the machine any additional material is forced in atthe bottom of the pile -already present whereby the dispersion of dustinto the atmosphere is prevented. Furthermore. that there is nolikelihood of any cuttings being returned to the cutter chain is owingto the fact that the blades retract into the cowl after discharge hasbeen effected and also owing to the action of the blades the unit cannotbecome jammed by pieces of coal wedging between said blades and anyother part of the structure. Finally, with a device constructed inaccordance with the invention. reversal of the drive for eitherdirection of cutting may be readily effected and it is possible for thetips of the blades when inner face of the plate 40. However, asindicated by the chain dotted line 33 in Fig. 4, the outerends of theblades while moving in a clockwise direction, will not come in contactwith the plate 40' but will move in close proximity thereto. Thearrangement is such that the blades or flights will each reach out to amaximum extent wlien nearest the kerf-cutter as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.The blade 3| will then be at right angles to the outer surface of thedrum 26. At such time the next succeeding blade will be withdrawnentirely from the cuttings since its projection from the drum is thensubstantially zero. Such zero position of the blade is reached as thewithdrawn blade approaches the rearwardly and outwardly inclinedabutment face of the box-like structure comprising the plates 40, 40.

It will thus be seen that the blades act on the cuttings to positivelymove them away from the kerf-cutter without any tendency of moving suchcuttings back toward the kerf-cutter. The withdrawal of the bladessuccessively to Zero positions precludes the carrying of the cuttingsaround back to the kerf-cutter even though the cuttings may pile upconsiderably where deposited by the blades. Even the newly formedcuttings positively pushed into piled up previously deposited cuttingscan not cause carrying around of the cuttings back to the kerf-cutterbecause such action would be prevented by the rearwardly and outwardlyinclined abutment face of the box-like structure comprising the plates40, All, such abutment face extending from top to bottom of thesupporting frame between the bottom and top plates 28, 28'.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and Itherefore wish not to be restricted to the precise construction hereindisclosed. a I I Having thus described and shown an embodiment of myinvention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having akerf cutter, of a cuttings cleaner adjacent said kerf cutter comprisinga rotating blade, a cylindrical member through which said blade projectshaving a center axis spaced from the axis of rotation of said blade.means for rotating said cylindrical memher and said blade whereby saidblade suc-.

cessively projects and recedes relative to the cylindrical member tovary its effective sweeping area, said axes being so positioned that theefiective sweeping area of said blade is a maximum when at substantiallyits nearest point to said kerf cutter and is substantially zero beforereaching a diametrically opposite position.

. 2. In mining apparatus, the combination with a motor driven miningmachine having a kerfcutter provided with a chain cutter, of a unit fordisposing of the cuttings produced by said chain cutter, means fordetachably connecting said unit to the frame of said mining machine inposition to receive the cuttings from said chain cutter, said unitcomprising a cowl and an impeller movable relatively thereto with theimpeller connected to the cowl to be driven thereby on an axis eccentricrelative to the axis of the cowl, and means for driving said cowl fromthe motor on the mining machine when said unit is attached to the miningmachine frame and thereby efiect operation of said impeller includingmovement thereof relatively to said cowl.

3. In mining apparatus, the combination with a motor operated miningmachine having a kerfcutter provided with a chain cutter, of a cuttingscleaner removably attached to the frame of the mining machine andcomprising a drum and impeller means connected thereto to be driventhereby, and means for connecting said drum to the mining machine motorfor operation thereby, saidimpeller means being mounted within said drumfor variable projection therefrom.

4. In mining apparatus, the combination with a minin machine having akerf-cutter provided with a chain cutter, of a cleaning unit connectedto said mining machine for operation thereby and comprising flight meansand a drum connected thereto to drive the same, and a guard pivoted tothe frame of said unit on a vertical axis and provided with an openingnear the pivot for egress of cuttings not removed by the flight means onthe opposite side of the unit.

5. In mining apparatus, the combination of a mining machine having akerf-cutter provided with a chain cutter, and a cleaning unit connectedto said mining machine for operation thereby and comprising a flightmeans and a cowl connected thereto to drive the same, said cowl meansbein mounted on a frame having a horizontal bottom plate in position toslide over the mine bottom with openings in such bottom plate within thecowl for egress of cuttings entering such cowl from said plate.

6. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having akerf cutter, of a supporting frame connected to said mining machine, arotary flight, and means for imparting a rotary motion to said flightwhile varying its cuttings sweeping area from substantially zero to apredetermined maximum to effect positive movement of the cuttings awayfrom the kerf cutter, the maximum eifective area of the flight beingattained when the outer extremity of the flight is nearest the kerfcutter, and the zero area being reached when the cuttings are remotefrom the kerf cutter. I

'7. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having akerf cutter, of a rotary cowl, a plurality of blades projecting throughsaid cowl to present working areas, mechanism for supporting said bladesfor rotation on an axis offset with respect to the axis about which thecow! rotates, and means for rotating said cowl to effect rotation ofsaid blades on their offset axis and thereby project the blades to amaximum extent when adjacent to the kerf cutter and thereafter withdrawthe blades from the cuttings successively.

8. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having achain kerf cutter, of a support connected to said mining machine, a

cylindrical member mounted on said support to rotate relatively theretoon an upright axis, a plurality of blades mounted to rotate on a singleupright axis spaced from said first-named upright axis, said bladesprojecting through the periph eral portion of said cylindrical member,and means for rotating said cylindrical member on its axis to eifectrotation of the blades on their said single upright axis and to causesaid blades to successively project from the cylindrical member to amaximum extent when adjacent the kerf cutter and then to recede when theblade sweeps the cuttings away from the kerf cutter.

9. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having achain kerf cutter, of a support connected to said mining machine, acylindrical member mounted on said support for rotation relativelythereto on a vertical axis, a blade mounted to rotate on a vertical axisspaced from said first-named vertical axis and projecting through theperipheral portion of said cylindrical member, means for rotating saidcylindrical member to effect successive projection and recession of saidblade relatively to said cylindrical member to vary the efiectivesweeping area of the blade, the blade being projected to its maximumwhen near said kerf cutter and to a minimum when farthest from said kerfcutter, and an abutment on said support to prevent cuttings being sweptby the blade beyond its position of minimum projection.

10. In mining mechanism, the combination with a mining machine having anendless chain cutter, of a supporting frame connected thereto to movebodily therewith, a drum mounted in said frame to rotate relativelythereto on a vertical axis, a cuttings sweeping blade mounted to rotateon another vertical axis and associated with said drum so that itsgathering face will swing toward the surface of the drum as the bladesweeps past its closest position with respect to the chain cutter, andmeans for effecting rotation of the drum and of the blade in a directionto effect removal of the cuttings from the chain cutter.

11. In mining apparatus, the combination with a motor driven miningmachine adapted to rest on and slide over a mine bottom and including achain kerf cutter, of a supporting frame adapted to rest on such minebottom, means connecting said supporting frame to the mining machine toslide over the mine bottom therewith, a drum mounted on said supportingframe to rotate relatively thereto on a vertical axis, a cuttingsimpeller associated with said drum and pivoted to said frame to rotateon a vertical axis fixed relative to said frame and spaced from thevertical axis of the drum, and means operable from the motor of themining machine to secure rotation of the drum and rotation of theimpeller on their spaced Vertical axes to secure a variable sweepingaction of said impeller to move cuttings away from said kerf cutter.

12. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame carrying a kerfcutter, of a positive action cuttings cleaner adjacent said kerf cutterfor removing cuttings, said cleaner comprising a rotary flight, andmeans for varying the effective working area of said flight from amaximum to a minimum during each rotation thereof.

13. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having achain kerfcutter, of a cuttings cleaner including sweeping means mountedfor rotation on a vertical axis in combination with mechanism forcontrolling said sweeping means to sweep the coal cuttings away from thechain cutter by positive movement in a horizontal direction withoutmoving the swept cuttings back toward the kerf-cutter, mechanism forconnecting said cuttings cleaner to said mining machine to move bodilytherewith, and means for connecting said cuttings cleaner to said miningmachine for operation from the latter, the construction and arrangementbeing such that when the sweeping means is rotated on a vertical axisthe said controlling mechanism renders said sweeping means inactive asit returns toward said kerf-cutter so as to leave the swept cuttingsremote from the kerf-cutter and not move any back toward thekerf-cutter.

14. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having achain kerfcutter, of a cuttings cleaner comprising a sweeping blade anda rotary device associated therewith to effect reciprocation of theblade relatively to said device to positively move the cuttings awayfrom the kerf-cutter and then withdraw from the cuttings to leave themremote from the kerf-cutter without sweeping them back toward thekerf-cutter, mechanism for connecting the cleaner to the mining machinein position for said sweeping blade to reach for the cuttings from thekerf-cutter, and means for operating the cleaner from the mining machineby rotating said device to effect reciprocation relatively thereto ofsaid sweeping blade.

15%. In mining apparatus, the combination with a mining machine having achain kerfcutter, of a cleaner including a rotary abutment with aplurality of blades associated therewith for reciprocation relativelythereto, said cleaner also including means for rotating said abutmentand reciprocating said blades relatively thereto, and mechanism forconnecting said cleaner to said mining machine in position for saidblades to sweep the coal cuttings from the kerf-cutter by positiveaction without moving any cuttings back toward said kerf-cutter.

16. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame carrying akerf-cutter, of a positive action cuttings cleaner adjacent saidkerfcutter for moving cuttings, said cleaner comprising a rotary flight,a rotary drum with the said flight associated therewith to reciprocaterelatively thereto, and means for operating said drum and flight to varythe effective working area of the flight from a maximum to a minimumduring each rotation of the drum.

1?. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame carrying akerf-cutter, of a positive action cuttings cleaner adjacent saidkerfcutter for removing cuttings, said cleaner comprising a rotary drumwith a flight associated therewith to reciprocate outwardly and inwardlyrelatively to the periphery of the drum, and

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,520,507. May 2 19m.

ARTHUR Y. SAVILLE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,second column, line 5h, for "holdings" read -ho1ings; page 5, secondcol- 13m, line 9, claim 16, for "moving" read -removing; and that thesaid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that thesame may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of April, A. D. 19bi Leslie Frazer(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

